The Ultimate Sim Racing Equipment & Culture Guide (2025)
Welcome to the most comprehensive, honest and up‑to‑date guide on building your dream sim racing setup. Whether you're just starting, looking to upgrade or curious about the latest developments in hardware, games and events, this page has you covered. Throughout, you'll find exclusive discount codes via simracingdiscounts.com, real‑world product recommendations, placeholders for your own images and videos, and insights into the evolving culture of sim racing. Wherever possible I quote multiple currencies (USD / GBP / EUR) to help racers around the world.
1. Define Your Goals
Before spending a single cent/penny, ask yourself what you want from sim racing. Are you chasing immersion, where you feel every bump and slip angle? Are you hungry for performance, shaving tenths off your lap times? Or do you simply want fun, a casual hobby shared with friends? Your answer will determine where you should invest first. For example, high torque direct drive wheels are incredible for immersion, while load‑cell pedals offer the biggest performance gain per dollar spent. There is no one‑size‑fits‑all answer – the perfect setup is personal.
2. Budget Considerations
It's easy to get carried away when browsing shiny new gear. Here's a realistic breakdown of typical budgets in 2025:
- Starter (under US$600 / £500 / €550): Expect a gear‑driven or hybrid wheel (e.g., Thrustmaster T128) and simple pedals that get you on track without breaking the bank.
- Mid‑range (US$600–1,800 / £500–1,500 / €550–1,700): Access to belt‑driven and entry‑level direct drive wheels (e.g., Moza R5) with load‑cell pedals. This range offers the best bang for your buck.
- High‑end (US$1,800+ / £1,500+ / €1,700+): Professional‑grade direct drive units like the Simucube 2 Pro (25 Nm) paired with hydraulic or advanced load‑cell pedals. These setups are powerful, precise and expensive.
3. Wheelbases
The heart of your setup is the wheelbase. In 2025, you can choose from gear‑driven, belt‑driven and direct drive systems. Here's what that means and which models stand out.
Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel (11 Nm Direct Drive)
Our high‑end pick for 2025, delivering a whopping 11 Nm of torque with crisp force feedback. The wheel offers a customisable button layout, reprogrammable clutch paddles and a clean 1080° rotation range. According to PC Gamer, it provides ferocious torque and fine detail, though it’s pricey【167622297735917†L375-L425】.
≈ US$1,000 / £1,000 / €1,099 (wheel only)
Thrustmaster T128 (Hybrid Drive)
Perfect for beginners, the T128 is a hybrid gear/belt‑driven wheel with responsive paddle shifters and a generous button layout. It’s praised for delivering surprising force feedback at a very friendly price【167622297735917†L228-L230】. The included pedals are basic, but you can always upgrade later.
≈ US$200 / £160 / €180
Thrustmaster T248 (Mid‑range)
A step up from the T128, the T248 employs a hybrid belt and gear mechanism to deliver stronger, more detailed feedback. It includes magnetic paddles and decent load‑cell‑like pedals. Reviewers love its accurate feel and robust build【167622297735917†L246-L249】.
≈ US$400 / £350 / €380
Moza R5 Bundle (5 Nm Direct Drive)
If you want true direct drive on a budget, look no further. The R5 delivers 5 Nm of torque, a 2000° rotation range, cushy wheel rim and an all‑metal two‑pedal set. It’s considered the best budget direct drive wheel thanks to its detailed feedback, premium feel and surprising value【167622297735917†L929-L946】. Upgrade to a load‑cell brake kit for just a few extra dollars to unlock more braking consistency.
≈ US$499 / £399 / €599 (bundle)
Fanatec GT DD Pro (5 Nm/8 Nm Direct Drive)
Fanatec’s GT DD Pro is the most upgradeable wheel system on the market. Starting at 5 Nm (8 Nm with the Boost Kit), it offers a modular ecosystem of rims, pedals and shifters. A compelling choice if you plan to build your setup piece by piece【167622297735917†L1020-L1042】.
≈ US$499 (5 Nm) / US$599 (8 Nm) / from £450 / €560
Simucube 2 Pro (25 Nm Direct Drive)
A high‑end servo motor powerhouse delivering up to 25 Nm of smooth, latenc‑free torque. Renowned for its bullet‑proof build quality and unrivalled force feedback detail. If you’re chasing ultimate realism and have the budget, the Simucube 2 Pro is hard to beat.
≈ US$1,499 / £1,250 / €1,300
Asetek La Prima / Forte / Invicta (12 Nm / 18 Nm / 27 Nm)
Asetek’s three‑tier lineup (La Prima, Forte and Invicta) covers entry‑level to professional direct drive, ranging from 12 Nm to 27 Nm. The ecosystems are expanding rapidly and these bases are known for robust engineering and a high‑quality quick release system. Use code kireth at checkout to save 5% on Asetek hardware.
≈ US$500–$1,299 / £450–£1,100 / €470–€1,200
Sim‑Lab Direct Drive Bases (15 Nm / 25 Nm / 35 Nm – Coming 2025)
Previewed at the 2024 SimRacing Expo, Sim‑Lab’s upcoming wheelbases aim to compete with the likes of Asetek and Simucube. Three versions at 15 Nm, 25 Nm and 35 Nm are expected to launch in 2025 with pricing around €1,000, €1,400 and €2,000 respectively【599917335266206†L99-L135】. Perfect for those planning their next major upgrade.
≈ €1,000–€2,000 (projected)
Thermaltake G6 Direct Drive Bundle (6 Nm)
Announced at CES 2025, Thermaltake’s G6 bundle packs a 6 Nm servo motor, three adjustable pedals, a 13‑inch wheel rim with dual clutch paddles and dual motor cooling. It’s set to launch April 2025 at US$519.99【419439455538510†L565-L622】, providing a new mid‑range option for PC racers.
US$519.99 (launch price)
Turtle Beach VelocityOne KD3 (3.2 Nm) & F‑RX Wheel
Turtle Beach has expanded its racing lineup with the compact KD3 wheelbase delivering 3.2 Nm of torque. The bundle includes a wheel and pedals and costs about US$449.99 / £329.99 / €349.99【836947859511140†L121-L163】. Pair it with the F‑RX Formula wheel (€199.99 / £189.99 / US$249.99) for a more specialised experience. An ideal option for console racers seeking simplicity.
≈ US$449.99 bundle; F‑RX wheel US$249.99
PXN VD4 / VD6 / VD10 (4 Nm / 6 Nm / 10 Nm)
Launching in mid‑2025, PXN’s VD series offers affordable direct drive options with 24‑bit encoders and low‑inertia servo motors. The bundles start from around €369 / US$299 for the VD4 (4 Nm) and go up to €559 / US$539 for the VD10 (10 Nm). These bases are PC‑only at launch and are compatible with other manufacturers’ quick releases 【940580417734627†L123-L159】.
≈ US$299–539 / €369–559
4. Pedals – Where Lap Time Lives
Pedals are often the most overlooked part of a setup, yet braking consistency is the single biggest factor in lowering lap times. There are three main types:
- Potentiometer pedals – measure travel; inexpensive and perfect for beginners.
- Load‑cell pedals – measure force; deliver repeatable braking and are ideal for competitive racing.
- Hydraulic pedals – replicate real car braking feel; very expensive and typically used by hardcore sim racers.
5. Rigs & Seating
Stability matters. A flex‑free rig not only preserves your wheel and pedals but also translates every nuance to your hands and feet. Options range from simple wheel stands to full aluminium profile rigs. For direct drive bases under 8 Nm, a sturdy entry‑level cockpit will suffice. Above 10 Nm, invest in an 80/20 aluminium rig (like Sim‑Lab or GT Omega) to handle the torque.
Don’t forget your seat: a reclined GT seat suits circuit racing while an upright rally seat provides better control in rally and drift.
6. Displays & VR
Monitors are your window to the race. A single 27″ monitor works for beginners; a 34″ ultra‑wide adds immersion; triple‑monitor setups offer unrivalled peripheral vision. Virtual Reality (VR) delivers unmatched immersion but requires a powerful PC and may cause motion sickness. New headsets like the Pimax Crystal and Meta Quest 3 deliver high resolution and wide field of view. Use code Kireth10 at Pimax for 10% off.
7. Shifters, Handbrakes & Extras
Consider adding an H‑pattern shifter for vintage touring cars, a sequential shifter for rally and GT racing, and a handbrake for drift and rally stages. Brands like Heusinkveld, Fanatec and Moza offer high quality accessories. Always upgrade these last after your core setup is dialled in.
8. Platforms – PC vs. Console
Console racing is convenient and cost‑effective, but limited in game selection and hardware compatibility. PC gaming offers a larger library (e.g., iRacing, Assetto Corsa EVO) and supports any wheelbase or pedal that has a USB driver. If you might switch between PlayStation and PC, choose cross‑compatible gear like the Fanatec GT DD Pro or Moza R9.
9. Games & Cultural Developments (2025)
There has never been a better time to be a sim racer. Here are the biggest releases and trends shaping 2025:
- Assetto Corsa EVO: Kunos Simulazioni’s next‑gen simulator continues to evolve. The upcoming 0.3 update adds new cars (Porsche Cayman 718 GT4, BMW M2 CS) and iconic circuits like Spa Francorchamps and the Red Bull Ring, plus improves AI and introduces multiplayer【187943599973366†L103-L147】.
- Project Motor Racing: A nostalgically inspired GT racer built on the Farming Simulator engine, focusing on 90s and early‑2000s endurance racing【425797531186417†L81-L100】.
- iRacing Arcade Title: An approachable spin‑off of iRacing with a career mode, scheduled for late 2025【425797531186417†L102-L120】.
- F1 25: The next iteration of Codemasters’ F1 series launches mid‑2025 with story mode and enhancements to My Team【425797531186417†L122-L137】.
- Thermaltake G6 & GM5 Motion System: New hardware providing mid‑range direct drive and affordable motion systems【419439455538510†L565-L622】.
- SimRacing Expo 2025: Europe’s largest sim racing exhibition takes place in Dortmund, Germany from 17–19 October 2025. Over 50 exhibitors will unveil new hardware and games【251281878362196†L24-L50】.
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10. Gran Turismo 7 Masterclass
Want to improve your lap times in Gran Turismo 7? Check out the Kireth D‑C‑B Beginner Masterclass at GetFasterOnline.com. This eight‑part premium course provides tips and tricks not available on YouTube, includes bespoke videos from Kireth, and offers unlimited lifetime access. At just £9.99, it’s the quickest way to step up your Daily Race game.
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11. Interactive Gear Finder
Use the form below to discover a balanced combination of wheelbase, pedals and rig based on your budget, platform and torque preference. Results include affiliate links so you can support the site while getting the best deal.
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This guide is continually updated. Last revised on 9 August 2025 (Europe/London). All prices are approximate and subject to change. Affiliates may earn a commission on qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting independent sim racing content!